A newly released report card by the American Lung Association found Mississippi isn’t spending nearly enough to support tobacco prevention and control programs. Ashley Lyerly with the Mississippi office says the state spends $9.9 million but the CDC recommends funding programs at about $36 million.
“We know that being able to have a comprehensive program where we’re looking at education and outreach in the community and all the things that the health department does related to tobacco prevention will help change behaviors,” said Lyerly.
The report gives Mississippi an "F" for not having a statewide smoke-free air policy to protect all workers and residents. Most governmental buildings don’t allow smoking. But Lyerly is concerned about businesses that do.
“We still have about 70 percent of the population that can be exposed to secondhand smoke when they walk into a public place such as a restaurant, or a bar, or a gaming establishment," said Lyerly.
Lyerly says a smoke-free law also sends a message to high school students, nearly 28 percent of whom vape and use flavored tobacco products in the state. Democratic Representative Bryant Clark of Ebenezer authored a bill that prohibits smoking in workplaces, enclosed spaces and certain outdoor areas.
“We’re not trying to punish the smoker but we’re trying to protect the non-smoker, so to speak but I do think that you’ve got a public facility where the general public is coming in and out that it should be a little bit more regulated than it presently is,” said Clark.
Clark doesn’t think the bill will make it out of committee. The American Lung Association also gave an "F" to the state for a low cigarette tax and access to cessation programs.
